Officials from the state Department of Environmental Resources also attended the opening, which was coordinated with the state celebration of Water Awareness Week.

Authority officials also used the opportunity to donate a chlorine containment device to the Whitehall Township Fire Department. On Jan. 29, the authority had a chlorine gas leak, which forced the evacuation of several township developments.

The gas leak danger was eliminated when a damaged chlorine cylinder was placed in what is known as a "chlorine coffin." Township fire officials at the time did not have such a device and enlisted the help of firefighters from South Whitehall Township.

The group also celebrated the Whitehall Authority's being named one of three finalists in a drinking water taste test sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Public Water Suppliers. Whitehall competed against 12 other local municipalities.